Chinese gaming firms such as NetEase and Shanda Interactive Entertainment have until 15 July to install software which will halve the number of points gamers can score if they play for more than three hours, said the report.

Determined gamers who play for more than five hours will get no points at all and face an on-screen warning that they are entering “unhealthy game time”.

In order to verify their age, gamers will be required to register for games using their real names and identity card number.

The image at the top is of Coca-Cola cans with images of Worlds of Warcraft characters on them, will there be a ban of soft drinks with game characters on them too? See the TV commercial for it below: